Gula entered a Kennedy plea to a misdemeanor charge of providing false or misleading information to a member of the department of public safety. Under the Kennedy rule, a defendant doesn’t admit guilt.

Gula’s defense attorney, John Proctor, said there was evidence his client lied about his relationship with a woman involved in the investigation.

Gula originally was charged with first-degree arson and burning insured property. The March 2013 fire at his mobile home in Barboursville occurred less than two weeks after Gula resigned from the State Police.